Why is confirming “Priority Tasks” better than a general service list?

Every client has a "pet peeve"—whether it’s the skirting boards for a cleaning client or the lawn edges for a gardening client. By confirming Priority Tasks in your pre-job message, you ensure the most important items are completed even if time runs short. This is the ultimate secret to securing 5-star reviews and recurring bookings.

What is the “88-cent Rule” for my vehicle in 2026?

For the 2025–26 financial year, the ATO allows you to claim 88 cents per km for business travel (up to 5,000km). To make your tax claim effortless, log your odometer readings for each "work zone" in your Sole App notes. This ensures you capture every cent you are entitled to at the end of the year.

How do I handle “Pet Hazards” safely and professionally?

Pets are a major variable in home services. Confirming pet locations (e.g., "Will the dog be in the yard?") protects both your safety and the animal's. It also allows you to prepare specifically, such as bringing specialized equipment for pet hair removal.

Is it unprofessional to ask for a “Key Code” via text?

In 2026, most clients value the convenience of not needing to be home for a service. Asking for a key code or hidden location instructions via secure message is a standard professional practice. Storing these details in your Sole client records ensures you aren't searching for access info while sitting at the kerb.

How do I handle “Travel Fees” without upsetting the client?

If a client is outside your usual route-based service zone, include a "Travel Surcharge" as a clear, separate line item on your Sole quote. Being transparent about this before you arrive prevents the client from feeling "blind-sided" by the final invoice.

How does “Instant Payment” via WorldPay help my weekend?

By using the Sole + WorldPay integration, you can have the client pay via Apple Pay or Google Pay before you even finish packing your tools. This eliminates the "Friday Night Admin" struggle, ensuring your bank account is updated and your to-do list is clear by the time you get home.

Pre-appointment checklist for personal and general service providers

Be ready and organised before every appointment

These jobs fail when access, instructions, or property conditions aren’t clear.
This checklist ensures a smooth visit.

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Wrong equipment = incomplete job

Arriving without the right supplies or tools means either a second trip or a job that isn't finished to the client's standard.

Access issues waste your schedule

No key, no code, no answer — you lose the income for that time slot and still have travel costs to cover.

No pre-job check = disputed invoice

When a client says 'you didn't do this', you need a pre-job agreement and a post-job record to prove what was done.

Why personal service jobs go wrong before they start

For cleaners, gardeners, tutors, and domestic workers, most job problems are preventable with a better pre-appointment process. Arriving without the right equipment, a key that doesn't work, or no clarity on what the client expects — these issues are avoidable with five minutes of preparation. This checklist walks you through every step before each appointment: confirm the job list, check property access, pack the right equipment, confirm pricing, and send a professional pre-appointment message so the client is expecting you. The two AI prompts help you spot anything you've missed before leaving home, or draft a confirmation message to the client in under a minute.

What You Get

5-Section Pre-Appointment Checklist

Confirm the job list and any changes, verify property access (key, code, or client present), pack all required equipment and supplies, confirm pricing and any extras, and send the pre-appointment confirmation message.

Pre-Appointment Message Template

A friendly, professional copy-paste message to send to every client before you arrive — confirming the time, access method, and what you'll be covering in the appointment.

2 AI Prompts + 7 FAQs

Prompt A - checks for anything you've missed before the job.
Prompt B - generates a personalised pre-appointment message. The 7 FAQs cover the 88c/km travel claim, pet hazards, no-access policies, travel fees, and instant payment with Worldpay.

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A preview of what's inside

Here are the first three items from Section 1 of your free checklist:

Confirm the full job list for this appointment — rooms, areas, specific tasks, and any changes since the last visit.

Check if there are any new requests or additions the client wants included in this appointment.

Confirm any areas or items that are off-limits or require special treatment before you arrive.

+ 4 more sections, pre-appointment message template, two AI prompts, and 7 FAQs — all inside the free download.

Who It’s For

Built for sole traders providing personal, domestic, and general services across Australia.

House cleaners

Gardeners & lawn care

Tutors

Domestic workers

Mobile pet groomers

Handypersons

ATO & Compliance Note

Important

The ATO's motor vehicle allowance for sole traders in 2025–26 is 88 cents per kilometre. Keep a log of all business travel (from home to client and back) in Sole's expense tracker to support your deduction claim at tax time. All service income, regardless of payment method, must be declared.

Download your free checklist

Enter your details and we'll send the Pre-Appointment Checklist for Personal Service Providers straight to your inbox.

Frequently asked questions

Common questions

Can I claim 88 cents per kilometre for travel to client jobs?

Yes. The ATO’s cents-per-kilometre method allows sole traders to claim 88 cents per kilometre for business travel in 2025–26. For personal service providers who travel to client locations, this includes the trip from your home to the client’s address and back. Keep a logbook or use Sole’s expense tracker to record each trip.

What should I do if I arrive and can't access the property?

Have a no-access policy in your terms and conditions that you confirm with every new client upfront. If you can’t access the property despite providing advance notice, you are entitled to charge a minimum call-out or cancellation fee. Issue the invoice via Sole immediately and send a message to the client explaining the charge.

Should I include a travel fee in my quote for distant jobs?

Yes. If the travel time and cost are significant for a particular job, include a travel fee in your initial quote so the client is aware before booking. Clearly label it as a travel or call-out fee on your Sole invoice. This is standard practice for mobile personal service providers and reduces disputes at payment time.